Resolve underlying security issues, unite citizens

On Friday, October 31, 2025, US President Donald Trump put Nigeria on a list of “Country of Particular Concern,” summarily finding the country guilty over what he claims to be deadly persecution of Christians. This is serious because under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA), it means Nigeria is now a country “engaged […]

On Friday, October 31, 2025, US President Donald Trump put Nigeria on a list of “Country of Particular Concern,” summarily finding the country guilty over what he claims to be deadly persecution of Christians. This is serious because under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA), it means Nigeria is now a country “engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” And unless there is a presidential waiver for national security reasons, this could trigger diplomatic censure, targeted sanctions or aid restrictions.

Trump heightened the already heated situation with the undiplomatic threat that his country could “go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing,” signalling readiness for military intervention. His singling out Nigeria for religious freedom violations is not new as he designated the country in his first term. Obviously, this is an issue that resonates strongly with parts of his right-wing, evangelical political base.

His statements have caused a sharp, widening gap in US-Nigeria relations, a relationship that was historically built on pragmatic partnership. What he has chosen to forget is that so much is at stake between both countries and nothing should be done to jeopardise them, especially as US is the largest foreign investor in Nigeria, largely concentrated in oil and gas, wholesale trade and services sectors with bilateral trade surpassing $13 billion in 2024.

Nigeria ranks among the top African markets for US exports. Moreover, America also provides strategic security support, including military training, counterterrorism assistance and limited arms sales to Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

The current bickering is ultimately resulting in further disengagement, which is uncalled for. Already, there is a diplomatic vacuum as Nigeria does not have an ambassador in Washington DC.  President Bola Tinubu was also conspicuously absent when Trump met with five West African leaders at the White House in July 2025, although some pundits believed that the circumstances of the engagement are different.

Violence in Nigeria is a complicated issue. Nigeria’s religious landscape includes significant populations of Muslims, Christians and adherents of traditional African religions, coexisting within a nation’s space. Terrorists kill clerics, farmers, women, children, politicians, civil servants, teachers, health workers and traditional leaders, simply because they support secular authorities, irrespective of religion. So, we advise Trump to get a better briefing on the nature of this conflict.

Daily Trust is dismayed at the excessive and uncontrolled emotion that has come with the threat of sanctions and military action. The very idea of addressing Nigeria as a “disgraced country” is gutter, wrong, uncalled for and very repulsive. The US president’s attitude is divisive and self-serving.

We counsel that this situation should not result in a major diplomatic crisis or breakdown. This is not time for grandstanding. We urge that restraint and resolve guide both nations’ actions as they pursue a new partnership built on cooperation, shared intelligence and institutional strengthening. We warn that in no way should Nigeria be allowed to become a diplomatic or military battleground in the contest for regional influence and control or any assertiveness.

Somehow, we believe that Nigerians should thank Trump for waking Nigeria up; after all, nobody supports the country being a continuing killing field where shedding of blood has become almost the norm. For one, his outbursts have once again shown how far the political class has failed Nigerians, such that we have been made a laughing stock by the very elite who have been entrusted to lead us to respectability.

The US leader has inadvertently reminded us that beyond rhetoric, the deficit in governance has all along been shrouded by excuses, whereas insecurity has been largely fuelled by local grievances over poor governance and economic marginalisation.

Trump’s unexpected direct hit should be a diplomatic alarm bell for Nigeria to put its house in order.

We insist that all lives matter, irrespective of religious, ethnic or geographical location. Nigeria must be retrieved from terrorists, bandits and other non-state actors. A situation where tens of armed men ride in a motorcycle convoy into a community, kill and maim people and destroy property and ride away without any hindrance is unacceptable. These killings have been so normalised. All the perpetrators of acts of violence must be arrested and persecuted and justice must be served to every victim. The general complacency and impunity in handling of security issues must stop as this has harmed Nigeria’s credibility at home and abroad.

And in tackling the ongoing classification of Nigeria as CPC and the accompanying threats, the government should abandon media diplomacy and pursue a dignified foreign-policy response. There should be more contacts with the Trump administration, especially through back-channel relationship.

Towards this, we urge President Tinubu to ensure that the management of this crisis does not endanger any ongoing security cooperation, including military training and intelligence sharing. Nigeria must establish and project its influence and presence as the world’s largest black democracy through robust diplomacy.

More so, Nigeria must cultivate an atmosphere of transparency that allows citizens and multilateral partners, including the United Nations and African Union, along with greater access for journalists, civil society organisations and independent researchers to have first-hand information on the efforts being made to secure the lives of the populace.

We implore Nigerian leaders to see the current situation as an urgent opportunity to fulfill their constitutional mandate of protecting the lives and property of all citizens.

The Trump salvo wouldn’t have come if the letters of aection 14(2) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (b) which state that “the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government” is seen as sacred.

This is time to strengthen Nigeria’s governance model by prioritising the welfare of the citizens, unifying the people while confronting insecurity with unprecedented resolve and fairness. Leaders must demonstrate true leadership through thoughtful actions guided by truth, justice and mutual respect.

We also implore Nigerians across the divide to be more honest to one another and fear God in both private and public conduct as it is this dishonesty that is fuelling injustice. This way, no foreigner will find an opening to denigrate our country.